Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary rocks are formed by lithification (means small
rocks particles or sediments joined in compact together
forming a big rock).
They are formed in layers of different thickness. Example:
Sandstone, shale.
Sediments are result of denudation (weathering or erosion) of
all types of rocks.
Weathering of Rocks: The natural process of breaking down
rocks, soils and minerals at the Earth’s surface into smaller
pieces or dissolved substances driven by water, ice, air, acids,
temperature change.
Erosion of Rocks: Rock erosion is the process of breaking down
and transporting rock, soil and sediment from one location to
another by natural forces like water, wind, ice and gravity.
These sedimentary rocks cover 75% of earth’s crust but apply
only 5% (because they are available only in upper part of the
crust).
Ice deposited Sedimentary rocks are called till or tillite.
Wind deposited rocks are called as Loess.
Depending upon mode of formation, sedimentary rocks are
classified:-
Mechanically formed sedimentary rocks:- Sandstone,
conglomerate, limestone, shale, loess
Organically formed:- geyserites, chalk, limestone, coal etc.
Chemically formed:- limestone, halite, potash
Mechanically formed Sedimentary Rocks
They are formed by mechanical agents like running
water, wind, ocean currents, ice, etc.
Arenaceous sedimentary rocks have more sand and
bigger sized particles and are hard and porous. They
form the best reservoirs for liquids like groundwater
and petroleum. E.g. sandstone.
Argillaceous rocks have more clay and are fine-grained,
softer, mostly impermeable (mostly non-porous or
have very tiny pores). E.g. claystone and shales are
predominantly argillaceous.
Chemically Formed Sedimentary Rocks
Water containing minerals evaporate at the mouth of
springs or salt lakes and give rise to Stalactites and
stalagmites (deposits of lime left over by the lime-mixed
water as it evaporates in the underground caves).
Depending on the predominance of calcium content or
the carbon content, sedimentary rocks may be
calcareous (limestone, chalk,
dolomite) or carbonaceous (coal).
Organically formed Sedimentary rocks
The remains of plants and animals are buried under
sediments, and due to heat and pressure from overlying
layers, their composition changes. Coal and
limestone are well-known examples.
Characteristics of Sedimentary Rocks
They are stratified ― consist of many layers or strata.
They hold the most informative geological records due to
the marks left behind by various geophysical (weather
patterns, wind and water flow) and biological activities
(fossils).
They are fossiliferous ― have fossils of plants and
animals.
These rocks are generally porous and allow water to
percolate through them.
FOSSILS
A fossil is the preserved remains of a dead organism from
millions of years ago. Fossils are found in rocks and can be
formed from:
Hard body parts, such as bones and shells, which do not
decay easily or are replaced by minerals as they decay
Parts of organisms that have not decayed because one or more
of the conditions needed for decay are absent. For
example, dead animals and plants can be preserved
in amber, peat bogs, tar pits, or in ice
Preserved traces of organisms, such
as footprints, burrows and rootlet traces - these become
covered by layers of sediment, which eventually become rock.
Fossil remains have been found in rocks of all ages. Fossils of the
simplest organisms are found in the oldest rocks, and fossils of
more complex organisms in the newest rocks.
Evidence for early forms of life comes from fossils. By studying
fossils, scientists can learn how much (or how little) organisms
have changed as life developed on Earth.
Fossils provide a snap shot of the past and allow us to study how
much or how little organisms have changed as life developed on
Earth.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
Metamorphic rocks are formed when rock changes over a
period of time due to a lot of physical changes like
pressure, heat and different chemical activity. These rock
changes happen when these rocks are exposed to an
environment.
Types of Metamorphic Rocks
Quartzite
When sandstone is heated, all the sand grains melt and
make new quartz crystals which forms a metamorphic
rocks.
Marble
When limestone is heated it changes into marble which is
a metamorphic rock. All the minerals melt and form
new crystals. Marble is extremely hard and very
shiny. It can be white, red, blue or green
depending on which substances were in the
original limestone.
SLATE
When igneous rock shale is put under pressure it forms
thin layers, this is the metamorphic rock called slate.
Layers of sediments which build upon the sea bed.
Bottom layers are buried by the top layers under huge
pressure.
People use slate for making roof tiles and floor tiles
because it is hard and long lasting.
GNEISS
When granite is heated all the minerals melt and make
new crystals. Pressure causes the new rock to have
stripes or bands of crystals. This metamorphic rock is
called Gneiss.
The crystals look similar to granite, but they are in bands.
Gneiss is very hard. People crush these metamorphic
rocks to make roads.
ROCK CYCLE